Reading law firm Shoosmiths has appointed a female chief executive for the first time in its 160-year history.

Litigation partner Claire Rowe will take on the role at the start of August after current boss Paul Stothard announced his decision to step down after seven years in charge.

Rowe currently heads the firm’s commercial practice group based at Apex Plaza, which comprises national teams specialising in debt recovery, employment and pensions.

Speaking about her new role, she said: “I am extremely pleased. I was elected by my fellow partners, so I have their endorsement that I am the right person to take the business forward.

“I am charged with driving the operations and business development strategy of the firm, and making sure our business plan is followed.

“I have spent a long time in legal financial management, developing my managerial and leadership skills, so I feel ready for the responsibility.

“It is a challenging market, but with change comes new opportunities. I will be working with our clients to provide better efficiency and quality service.”

After joining Shoosmiths in 1984 as a trainee solicitor, Rowe progressed rapidly, becoming a partner in 1990.

And she believes her ascent to the very top shows that the barriers that women face, especially in the legal sector, are diminishing.

“I think it’s only in the last 10 years that this appointment would have gone to a female, because in the past there simply wasn’t enough female partners to choose from,” she said.

“But this is changing. At Shoosmiths 45 per cent of our staff are women and we have a large number of females in senior positions. My appointment shows that the opportunities are out there regardless of sex. It’s about ability, ambition and aptitude.”

Chairman Andrew Tubbs added: “Claire was elected by partner vote. She has proven leadership ability in her role as head of our successful commercial practice group and as a member of our operations board.

“She is widely respected by the partners, our staff, and her clients alike. I am looking forward to working with her in her new role.”